Tricolour & Ducati

The Tricolour first appeared on a Ducati in 1984, with the 750 F1, at what was a crucial time for the company. This bike marked a return to the supersport world for Ducati, thanks also to the support of Cagiva, that had acquired the company when in financial difficulty. The 750 F1 was the first to feature the race-derived trellis frame and a 750 cc engine with timing belt, inspired by the Pantah project. The F1 came to symbolise a new era, marking the end of bevel gear motors and the start of a period of innovation, under the guidance of Massimo Tamburini.

Almost two decades later, in 2007, the Tricolour would return to the roads with the 1098 S Tricolore. This livery has since become a symbol of special editions that celebrate either the start or end of an iconic model’s production run. Examples of this tradition include the Monster S4Rs (2008), the 1199 S Tricolore (2012), the 1299 Final Edition (2016) and the Panigale V4 Speciale (2018). Recently, the Tricolour reappeared on the 2023 Monster 30° Anniversario.

Ducati has skilfully transformed the Tricolour into a distinctive ‘trademark’ of tradition and innovation. From the historic 750 F1 to the modern Panigale V4, the Tricolour models tell a tale of passion, resilience and connection with Italy, celebrating the Bolognese manufacturer’s most significant moments.